Operator for soap dispensers



Dec. 5, 1933- H. KOPPELMAIQ oPERAToR Foa 4soAP DISPENSERS Filed Feb. I5. 1952 Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPERATOR FOR SOAP DISPENSERS Application February 3, 1932. Serial No. 590,555

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a soap dispensing valve, and particularly to an improved operating means applicable thereto. The present device is especially adapted for use in hospitals by patients whose hands are injured or bandaged to the extent of being unable to manipulate the usual dispensing valve. The device is also adapted for use by surgeons at washup sinks permitting them to operate the valve with their elbow or forearm, thereby keeping the hands sterile.

A suggestive embodiment of my invention is set forth in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure l is a view in sectional elevation showing my operator applied to a conventional dispensing valve whose parts are in normal closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the bracket by which the operator is held in applied position; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

As a suggestive embodiment of my invention I have shown a valve A, having a supply container B in communication therewith. The valve may be supported by a bracket having a ilange 11 for wall attachment. The Valve body is provided with upstanding flange l2 adapted to receive therein a neck depending from the container which may be secured and sealed in place by a suitable adhesive 13, such as litharge. The valve may be provided further with a chamber 14 having an inlet and discharge ports 15 and l6,respectively, the former being connected by a passage 17 with the container.

A plunger 20 having a stem 21 formed thereon is loosely iitted in the chamber, the stem being slidably iitted in a bearing 22 and extending outwardly from the valve for actuation by which to move the plunger from a valve seat 23. In this operation the discharge port is uncovered and the inlet port is closed by a spring-pressed valve 24 carried in the plunger. The valve just described is typical oi one which may be used for dispensing a measured quantity of liquid. In all such constructions the plunger is usually held in closed position by a spring and the stern is surrounded by a closely tted packing, necessitating the application of considerable force to actuate the plunger. In hospitals especially patients whose hands are injured or bandaged find it difllcult to actuate such a valve. y

To overcome this diiilculty, I provide a lever which may bein the form of a bell crank 25 having a short arm 26 adapted to bear against the stem end, and a long arm 27 which extends outwardly in a horizontal plane so as to be convenient for manipulation. The lever is secured in operative position with the aid of a bracket 30 which comprises a split ring 31 adapted to it over and around the ange 12. If desired, screws 32 may be employed to fasten the ring to the llange. Arms 33 extend outwardly from the ring, the arms having openings 34 near their extremities for receiving a pin 35 on which the lever is pivoted.

Between the arms I may position a web and block 36 to strengthen the construction, the block being shaped to conform with the contour of the valve body, as shown in Fig. 3. The arms may have depending lugs 33 adapted to nt adjacent the valve sides to prevent the bracket from turning about the ange. The lever is shown as having on its underside a central rib 39 with a transverse opening 40 in which may be attached a chain or rod for connecting to a foot treadle (not shown).

- The plunger in the valve is actuated to dispense the liquid when the lever is moved to a position as suggested by broken lines in Fig. 1. It will be readily apparent that the force required to actuate the plunger is materially reduced because of the leverage with which the operator is endowed.

The operator which normally projects outwardly beyond the valve, as shown, may at any time be swung upwardly through 90 or more whenever it is desired to position the long arm out of the way, and in executing this movement, or a return to horizontal position, the operator is entirely free as its only connection with the Valve stem is a loose contact with the outer end thereof.

I claim:

The combination with a dispensing valve having a body from which is extended a reciprocable actuating stem normally pressed outwardly, of a bell crank operator having one arm loosely engaging the stem, a bracket furnishing a pivotal mounting for the operator, and means extending laterally from the body in connection with a source of liquid supply for the valve and in connection with the bracket for sustaining the latter.

HAROLD I. KOPPELMAN. 

